Role of Heparin Binding Epidermal Growth Factor in the Serum and Follicular Fluid in Prediction of Pregnancy Outcome of Infertile Women With and Without Pcos.

Abstract

Background: Successful implantation requires an intricate succession of molecular and genetic interactions. The implantation process is controlled by number of molecules like ovarian hormones, cytokines and growth factors which play an important role in regulating embryo differentiation, invasion and adhesion. During this time any breach in the communication between the endometrium and the embryo leads to implantation failure. Aim of the study: to evaluate the role of Heparin binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), measured in serum and follicular fluid in prediction of pregnancy outcome of infertile women with and without PCOS. Patients and methods: A convenient sample of 100 infertile women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were intentionally divided, according to the cause of infertility, into 50 infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 50 infertile women without PCOS. Heparin binding epidermal growth factor was measured on early follicular phase of the cycle (CD2-3) and at the day of ovarian pick up. Results: Highly significant(P<0.001) increase were reported between PCOS and non-PCOS groups regarding estradiol (E 2 ) and HB-EGF levels in the serum follicular phase (day 2-3) and in the FF on day of ova pickup (OPU).In PCOS women , HBEGF in the serum of follicular phase and at day of OPU with its level in the FF at day of OPU were all significantly (P<0.05) higher in women with positive pregnancy outcome than those with negative pregnancy outcome. Conclusion: Serum HB-EGF level is more valuable in predicting pregnancy out come in infertile PCOS women than non-PCOS women, and that serum HB-EGF level is more helpful than follicular fluid HB-EGF level in predicting pregnancy outcome in infertile PCOS women.